A spokesperson for the national tour confirmed the news and said the physical production and company that launches this fall will stop into the Pantages starting May 2, 2003, with an opening set for May 29. An eight month run is expected. Fall 2002 tour stars Lewis J. Stadlen and Don Stephenson will take a break from the company while Alexander ("Seinfeld") and Short ("SCTV," "Saturday Night Live") step in.

A second touring company begins in Boston in July 2003. No casting has been announced for it.

The casting of Short, known for neurotic, quirky characters in film and TV, has been a longtime dream for Brooks. Alexander, known for his blustery characters and solid singing voice, is an obvious right type to play offensive producer Max Bialystock. Both bring huge marquee value to the staging.

Martin Short won the Tony Award for Little Me and was nommed for The Goodbye Girl. Alexander won the Tony for Jerome Robbins' Broadway.

Tickets go on sale Aug. 5 at the Pantages box office and through Ticketmaster. A pre-sale for American Express cardholders begins July 21 by calling (213) 365-3500.